Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Gift Ideas for Pokemon Fans from Kids to Teens

Pokemon has seen a bit of a revival this year with the new mobile app game - Pokemon Go released in the summer and the 20th anniversary celebrations. My kids have been Pokemon fans for quite some time, and happy there are some cool new toys, merchandise and games this year.

Fans are particularly excited about the new 3DS games, Sun and Moon. It will be especially popular among teens, who used to (or still do) watch and play Pokemon. (Well, my teen has added these games to his Christmas wish list!)
There is a ton of Pokemon toys, games, trading cards and merchandise to get for any age Pokemon fan. We've selected some of our favourites below.

Toys and Games

3DS Pokemon Sun and Moon Games

The Pokemon 3DS games, Sun and Moon, introduces the player to a new adventure in the Alola Region of tropical islands. Both games have similar gameplay, but have different starter Pokemon and legendaries. Each game features exclusive Pokemon. There's also a new feature known as Z-Moves (see the wearable below), which give Pokemon great power for battle.

Board Game - Pokemon Monopoly

Same traditional monopoly game, but with a Pokemon twist. We actually own this set, and the kids love playing the game. The tokes are small Pokemon and you buy Poke Balls instead of stations and Gyms instead of property. Apart from being a Pokemon theme, the game is played like traditional monopoly.

Plush Toy - Pikachu

The Pikachu is this year's 20th anniversary plush toy. There are lots of other plush Pokemon available too. Both my boys have their favourite Pokemon as plush toys and they are currently elevated to "best teddy" position.

Connected Toy - Pokemon Z-Ring

The Z-ring is a new connected toy for 2016. It is compatible with the new Sun and Moon games. It can either be used as a connected add-on to the game for a "4D" experience or used as a role play toy. The Z-ring should work with a 3DS and 2DS. The set comes with 3 Z-Crystals, a Pikachu figure and the Z-ring (which can hold up to 6 crystals) Additional Z-Crystals are sold separately. It's recommended for ages 4+ and requires 2 AAA batteries which are included!

Pokemon Go Fan Gifts

Although the hype of Pokemon Go is over, there is still a strong fan base who plays the game. It is definitely still popular in my family, although we don't get a chance to play that often at the moment. The gift ideas below would be perfect for a true Pokemon Go fan!

Wearable - Pokemon Go Plus

The new Pokemon Go Plus wearable connects with your phone via bluetooth and alerts you via LED and vibration of events in the game. In theory you should be able to walk around and the wearable will notify you when there is a Pokemon nearby. See other ideas for wearables for kids.

Book - Pokemon Go Field Guide

The Pokemon Go Field Guide is an Unofficial guide to Pokemon Go, packed full of tips and tricks to become a Pokemon Go master trainer. The idea is to use it as a reference guide, and read up useful hints to find Pokemon in the real world and help you "Catch 'em All".

Pokemon For Makers

We also recommend the Circuit Playground (read our review) for the more techie kids interested in making with electronics. Adafruit built a Pokemon Go badge project using the Circuit Playground. It's still in developer edition, but we're looking forward to more projects and material available for this useful and versatile electronics board in the new year.

Who are we?

Elbrie de Kock

Elbrie de Kock is a designer, digital marketeer, event organiser and digital parenting pioneer. She runs a Code Club and a Coder Dojo. Elbrie is one of the lead organisers of Hacksoton, Young Rewired State Southampton and other local events as well as being a director of Tech Age Kids Ltd.

Elbrie enjoys learning about technology and sharing her design skills with her two younger children and helping her teenager find the right path for a tech career.

Dr Tracy Gardner

Tracy Gardner has a PhD in Computer Science and spent her career in industry developing software. Now she works to educate and enthuse the next generation about technology. She teaches computing to primary school children, is a freelance educational content writer and a director of Tech Age Kids Ltd.

Tracy enjoys playing Minecraft, programming robots, trying out new technology and making things with her two children.

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